Open-Analyze-Close
Every process can be handle this way in a macro and micro level. Imagine you are going to start a game. First you brainstorm scenarios, then you analyze, then choose which scenarios are going to be in the final scheme.
In a micro level, each one of the steps of the game should follow the same approach. Characters: Open [Man? Woman? Cat? Robot? Alien?] Analyze [man is too common; woman is good because you can make it sexy; cats don’t match the idea; robots can be a complement to the woman; aliens can be the enemy] Close [Sexy Woman controlling giant robots to fight Aliens] It’s going to be a hit!
Scenario: Open [Present; CyberPunk; Dictatorial Alternative Future; Historical Past; Medieval Fantasy] Analyze [Present is too common; CyberPunk sounds nice but the Aliens don’t match; Dictatorial Alternative Future also don’t match aliens at first; Historical Past can be interesting, like robots made of wood, but their movement would be too limited; Medieval Fantasy can have robots made of magic] Close [Medieval Fantasy in which Aliens arrive to control earth and the only hope is robots controlled by Magic.] Wow, you sold me already.
Now you try yourself with whatever project you are in. This normally will take several days and even years depending of what you are creating. Most of the time is the mix of bad ideas that create a good one. So don’t be shy and start making lists!
Next: 100 ideas
UX Product Plan 